Improvement in gate-latches



. plained.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE- WIELIAM H. OARPENTER, OF ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI.

IMPROVEM ENT IN GATE-LATCHES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 197,544, dated November 27, 1877 application filed September 10, 18 77.

, and the nature of my invention consists in a rectangular reversible latch, which is pivoted to the gate, and constructed so that it is selflatching, and will not be aflected by-the sagging of the gate, as will be hereinafter ex- In the annexed drawing, Figure 1 is an elevation of a gate having my improved reversible latch applied to it. Fig. 2 is a section taken inthe plane indicated by dotted line 00 00, Fig.1. Fig. 3 is a detail, showing one end of the latch engaged with its catch-plate.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The letter A designates a gate of any suitable construction. Near the top of this gate is pivoted at a a rectangular latch, B, both limbs 11 b of which are of equal length, and are constructed alike, so that the latching end of each limb can be used, according to the requirements of the case. 'Each limb b is constructed with abroad rectangular end, 0, from which springs abeveled or curved fin, a, formed on and strengthened by a flange, e. The extremity of each arm is constructed with lugs ff, for a purpose presently explained.

. O designates a flanged catch-plate, which engaging-flange of the catch-plate O is of such'length that the sagging of the gate will not prevent the latch from engaging with said flange when the gate is shut.

The lower end of the pendent engaging-arm of the latch is free to play between aretainer,

D, which is fastened to the gate. The lugs f f are on opposite sides 1 of the retainer D,

and limit the vibrations of the latch.

It will be seen that the upper limb of the latch'operates, by its gravity, to engage the lower end of the lower limb with theflange of the catch.

It will be observed that the latch, the catch, and the retainer are reversible, and can be used on the right or left hand side of a gate, or on either side of a gate; also, that, no matter how much the gate may sag, the latch will operate successfully. v v I Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The rectangular reversible latch, constructed with fins d and lugs ff, in combination with the flanged catch-plate C and retainer D, substantially as described.

WlLLIAM HENRY CARPENTER.

Witnesses:

' I. W. KENNY,

W. S. ELLIOTT. 

